JULY 1, 2013 — French yacht cruise specialist Compagnie du Ponant has taken delivery of Le Soléal. the third of three super-luxury French-flag cruise ships, from Fincantieri's Ancona, Italy, shipyard today.

The 11,000 gt Le Soléal, whose size and characteristics make it very much like a mega-yacht, is 142 m long and 18 m wide and can accommodate up to 264 passengers in 132 outside cabins and suites, all with a sea view, 94 percent of which have a private balcony. It has 139 crew members.

Like the two previous vessels in the series, Le Boréal and L'Austral, Le Soléal carries Bureau Veritas Ice Class, Clean Ship" and Comfort Class certifications.

Le Soléal differs from the sister ships in the design of its public rooms, all developed for the first time entirely by Fincantieri, has a different hull color and higher installed power to allow more flexibility in cruise planning.